Distinct Differences in the Induction of Stimulus-mediated Superoxide Generation by Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils Isolated From Patients With Different Types of Leukemia

Abstract

Background/Purpose: Accumulating literature has documented that there exists a distinct difference in nitro blue tetrazolium reduction capacity by the polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) from patients with different types of leukemia. The underlying mechanism associated with this observed phenomenon remains to be clarified. Methods: The production of O2−, monitored by a validated probe (lucigenin)-based ultraweak chemiluminescence, in resting and/or phorbol-1,2-myristate-1,3-acetate (PMA)- and zymosan-stimulated systems of various leukemic PMNs was measured. In parallel with these studies, we also quantified superoxide dismutase isozymes (Cu, Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD) from these isolated PMNs by established methods. Results: A marked increase was observed in O2− generation by the PMNs from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), but not from patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) when compared with controls either in the resting condition or after being stimulated by either PMA or zymosan. In parallel, we also quantified SOD isozyme activities and found that the total and CuZn-SOD of PMNs from AML were indeed significantly lower than either controls or ALL, implying that higher levels of O2− generation might result from a deficiency in this O2−-metabolizing enzyme. Conclusion: Our data suggest that a distinct difference in the capability of O2− generation under stimulated conditions between PMNs from ALL and AML (or CML) may be of potential taxonomic or even therapeutic usefulness. J Formos Med Assoc

Keywords

• chemiluminescent assay
• leukemia
• polymorphonuclear leukocytes
• superoxide anion
• superoxide dismutase